Offshore amendment passed by Parliament after ND walkout
Greek lawmakers on Wednesday ratified an amendment revoking a controversial provision included in an omnibus bill last week that removed a blanket ban on MPs and public officials from being involved in offshore firms.
Of the 300-seat House's lawmakers, only 197 were present after opposition New Democracy walked out of the debate earlier in the day, with 190 voting in favor of the amendment and remainder voting “present.”
New Democracy's gesture, which was prompted by objections to the regulation itself but also to the procedures followed, sparked a strong reaction from Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras.
“New Democracy's departure was a tragicomic scene,” he said.
“Why did New Democracy turn tail? Why did it leave? There are two likely explanations: either because they realized they would suffer huge losses in the vote by roll call, or because they were in a rush to meet the 60-day deadline and arrange their affairs,” Tsipras said in reference to the timeframe allowed public officials under the new regulation to pull out of any offshore interests they may have.
